$165.00 fine! Goodyear Police Chief answer

[Ozz]

Hello Jim,

Sorry about your experience! I will have this looked into and get back with you in a couple of days. I can tell you that this is definitely not the norm and there is no reason to be afraid to come to Goodyear. We are a professional agency and have great relationships with our residents and visitors and I constantly receive praises from our winter visitors about interactions with the Police Department.

Again, sorry and I will have a response for you in a few days.


Thank you
Jerry Geier
Chief of Police
Goodyear Police Department
175 N. 145th Avenue, Bldg. E
Goodyear, AZ 85338

623-882-7662

jgeier@goodyearaz.gov
"Commitment to Excellence"




Goodyear Arizona Police...at least one of them, hates "You Snowbirds" as he put it.
He pulls me over and storms up to the truck: "Where is your license plate?"
I, biting my tongue, for I had a good retort.. went something like: If you had it... then thought better; I said I am only required to have one plate on the front of my truck, as it is licensed for 18000# in Missouri.
He walked to the front of the truck and read the plate into his radio Mike, walked back and said "Well if so, your state is the only one that issues only one plate" (Wrong, 17 of them) Unfortunately for me, the plate is issued for the FRONT of the truck.
I asked in my meekest voice: "Officer, sir, I don't know what to do about my one plate, that is the only one they gave me".
He Growled at me and said "Take it off the front and put it on the back!!!"
This one will not be attending the next MENSA picnic I am thinking...
BUT, his Tazer was eye level on the front of his vest, and all I could think of was that Video that went viral: "Don't Taze me Bro", "Don't Taze me Bro"
He said "You Snowbirds come here and think you can get away with everything, that is why you have such a bad name here"
Heck, I thought everyone loved us, they take our money...
Then, as I was getting my drivers license out, he asked why I needed so many drivers licenses? (He saw my My CCW license, as I was fumbling for the D.L. it is the same as the drivers license except for the Red Non-driver stamped on it.)
I explained in a squeaky voice that it was a CCW license, he asked if I was carrying, I said No sir! I was quite surprised he didn't call for the Canine car to tear apart my truck, looking for Viagra pills and pot.
So, I got a $165.00 ticket for a legal plate on my truck.
I will go to Goodyear...reluctantly, and seek the Prosecuting Atty to see if they will squash the bad ticket, don't want to hang around for court date.
Mo. folks, be warned.
I am going to write the Police Chief and Mayor and complain about this moron, and his Anti-snowbird bias.

[49merc]

Was he hiding behind a bilboard? :-)

[Tom S.]

As bad as he sounds, we had a whole department of them in West Bloomfield, MI. A friend's brother got the 3rd degree from one who acted as bad or worse than the one you describe - until the brother took out his Detroit Police Lieutenant's Badge and asked for the name of the guy's sargent. He got real buddy buddy then.

[Parts Ed]

Was the name on his badge "Roscoe P. Coltrane"???

[jimcol]

Stopped for the same thing in Jasper, Alberta, Canada. The RCMP couldn't have been nicer. I explained only one plate issued in Missouri on trucks 18k and over. He wasn't aware of the Missouri rule but his partner was. I had moved it to the front because we were pulling the 5'er most of time and no one could see the rear of the truck. His only suggestion was to move the plate to the rear of the truck when tooling around without the trailer. Might avoid another stop. Jim
P.S. I often wonder why, in Missouri, we pay more to license a heavier truck but only get 1 plate?

[seahunter]

quote:Originally posted by Parts Ed

Was the name on his badge "Roscoe P. Coltrane"???

Doh - FLASH!

[old turbo]

I will have to be more careful as I am down here in Surprise ,AZ to visit my son and grandchildren.I will make sure I know where the border fence for Goodyear is. I have a MI. plate and a sticker in the back window of my 3500 diesel pickup the reads WINTER TEXAN I sure do not want to be profiled as a No Good Snowbird. I find it strange that he did not like you as a snowbird but gave you a $165.00 ticket to donate to the local Police Picnic. I think this guy needs some Human Relations classes and a long stint in the Motor Pool washing patrol cars.

[richfaa]

I have heard of that one before here on the forum. Seems that you should be able to beat that ticket.

[Tom S.]

quote:Originally posted by richfaa

I have heard of that one before here on the forum. Seems that you should be able to beat that ticket.

Or at least beat the cop...

[mazboy]

"...tractors or truck-tractors licensed in excess of twelve thousand pounds shall be displayed ON THE FRONT of such vehicles not less than eight nor more than forty-eight inches above the ground,..." Wow, who would had thought this was the way the law was:-)

Make sure you take a copy of the law: http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/C300-399/3010000130.HTM

[Mrs. CountryGuy]

I for one, will be glad to NOT spend any $$ in Goodyear, and we are very close by. Bad PR by one of the men in blue makes my wallet close shut, quickly.

Unbelievable.

[pineranch]

This is way to good to pass up!!!!!!
I propose we help Ozz pay the fine. I offer and agree with the earlier comment; "His only suggestion was to move the plate to the rear of the truck when tooling around without the trailer". That's my 2 cents worth of advice, anyone else care to contribute to the OZZ FUND.
Mike

[WeBeFulltime]

I bet the cop's wife ran away with some guy in an RV so now he hates all of us!

[PackerFan]

WeBeFulltime: LMAO

[mlh]

Come on Ozz Roscoe caught you red handed. Quit whining and just pay up.
Lynwood

[Ozz]

quote:Originally posted by pineranch

This is way to good to pass up!!!!!!
I propose we help Ozz pay the fine. I offer and agree with the earlier comment; "His only suggestion was to move the plate to the rear of the truck when tooling around without the trailer". That's my 2 cents worth of advice, anyone else care to contribute to the OZZ FUND.
Mike

Interesting, but what happens when the Arizona DOT, or state patrol (who actually KNOWS the law) cites me for having the plate on the back, when the Missouri statute clearly states the plate goes on the front...
Ponderous.... But, I will take any and all donations for the Goodyear Police fund.

[Ozz]

quote:Originally posted by mazboy

"...tractors or truck-tractors licensed in excess of twelve thousand pounds shall be displayed ON THE FRONT of such vehicles not less than eight nor more than forty-eight inches above the ground,..." Wow, who would had thought this was the way the law was:-)

Make sure you take a copy of the law: http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/C300-399/3010000130.HTM

Thanks Eddie for the link, very nice of you.
Ozz

[Alwims]

Ozz, I'm surprised the MO DOR didn't give you a copy of that statute to carry with your registration. I get a copy every time I renew. I did get tired of being stopped, 7 times in 4 states, so I downgraded my plate so I could have 2 plates last year. I think I have 12,000 lb plates now. I'm technically not legal, but I've not been stopped since. THERE IS NO WAY IN HE!! I WOULD PAY THAT TICKET. You were perfectly legal. Also, don't put that plate on the back as you will get stopped in Missouri. Ask me how I know that. I did that after a Texas DPS officer demanded and I forgot to change it when we went home for a visit.

Also on the same line, did you know you can get a permanent plate for your 5th wheel in Missouri.

[snfexpress]

Ozz,

If you do go to court, ask the officer what his suggestion was. Then he'll look like the fool he is, having instructed you to violate the law!

[scductman]

Ozz you are lucky I got a ticket leaving Vegas Headed to AZ. I was turning at boulder city to go across hoover dam and a nev state trooper that just left the jersey boys tv show {at least thats what he looked like waxed hair} He gave me the ticket for "Turning At A Intersection" In up costing me $505.00. I promise it said that. I also had my SC license suspended for a week while trying to get everything payed. Yall be careful out there.LOL
Bobby